Lil Boosie’s lawyers speak on case, mom gives the real deal

Opening statements began Saturday in the first-degree murder trial of rapper Lil Boosie, whose real name is Torence Hatch.

Lead prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Dana Cummings, told jurors that Michael “Marlo Mike” Louding was “the key” to six different murders in Baton Rouge, including the Oct. 21, 2009 murder of Terry Boyd, in which Louding said that Hatch paid him $2800 to commit.

Cummings said that Hatch wanted Boyd dead because of a letter shown to Hatch in which Boyd said that he was going to “jack” and “slap” Hatch once he got out of prison. She said that Hatch told Louding, “You gotta take care of that.” She said that on the night of the murder Louding was at Hatch’s studio, left to shoot and kill Boyd and returned the same night.

Cummings also added that Hatch and Louding both got similar gun-inspired tattoos two weeks after the homicide. She feels that these tattoos further prove Hatch’s guilt.

According to Martin Regan and Jason Williams, Hatch’s attorneys, these claims are far from the truth. “One key doesn’t open all doors,” Williams said.

There is absolutely no physical or scientific evidence to prove that Hatch paid to have Boyd murdered and prosecutors are relying on the testimony of a mentally incompetent witness and the irrelevant lyrics of a few of his Hatch’s songs as the foundation of their case against the rapper, said the attorneys.

“[Louding] has recanted over and over again. He’s recanted and said that he gave that statement because he was scared and wanted to get out of trouble himself,” said Williams, who also said that Louding admitted to doctors of hearing voices in his head that tell him to hurt people.

“In an effort to get out of jail, he said that ‘Oh, well Torence made me do it.’ So it’s almost like a Flip Wilson theory: ‘the devil made me do it.’ Blame it on somebody else,” Williams said.

He also said that Louding’s testimony was “untruthful and inconsistent” for several reasons. “There was no consistent information that he could provide about when he was told to do it, why he was told to do it, what he was paid. Nothing else adds up,” said Williams about Louding, who he said was in special education while he was in school and has a mother addicted to drugs.

Williams said that Louding is “very impressionable” and that the East Baton Rouge Sheriff Office could easily “mold and get what they wanted from him.” Regan said that a deputy sheriff recently testified to the fact that he spent a great deal of time talking to Louding in which he repeatedly denied the whole thing. That conversation was not recorded, said Regan.

“And you can tell from some of the terminology he was using that it was scripted information coming from the sheriff’s department rather than just spontaneous information coming from a caught perpetrator,” Williams added.

He said that another element of Cumming’s theory that did not add up is the motive. He said that the letter in question does not exist. He also said that Boyd’s sister and Hatch have a child together and there is no evidence that Hatch had any ill will towards Boyd.

Lyrics

Cummings said that the songs “187” and “Body Bag” were recorded precisely during and right after the murders and the lyrics are so specific in that they prove that Hatch sent Louding to kill Boyd. “The timing is critical,” she said. She also told jurors, “Do not dismiss lyrics in this case because they’re important.” State District Judge Mike Erwin agreed to allow these songs to be used as evidence because of Cumming’s theory.

Regan and Williams said that the use of lyrics to imply guilt in this case is simply ridiculous. Also the music made the night of the murder was sampled from music made by Hatch prior to that night. They said that just because Hatch raps about guns and violence in no way makes him a murderer. “If that’s the case Al Pacino was a cocaine murderer from the movie Scarface; Johnny Cash is a murderer,” Regan said.

“It is First Amendment and it is artistic expression and the judge initially was leaning that way, but he stated and is alleging that the lyrics are so specific that they should come in, although when you read them and look at the facts of this case they don’t add up,” Williams added.

Williams stated that Hatch’s lyrics would not be on the table if he were living in a larger city.

“A major city is going to look at a rap artist like a Picasso, like a Scarface movie. They’re going to recognize it as art and put it in that category. In Baton Rouge, they are putting him in the gangster category. They are putting him in the label of those particular genres.”

Lil Boosie vs. Law Enforcement

Williams stated that local law enforcement agencies, such as East Baton Rouge Police Department, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office have had a problem with Hatch for a while now. “Mr. Hatch has been harassed for years and years by the same law enforcement agency prior to any charges being brought,” he said.

“They don’t like rap music,” Regan added.

Williams said that Hatch lives in an affluent neighborhood and played a lot of loud music and had numerous people coming and going during his recording sessions. He compared how he is with his fans to Bob Marley. “Anyone that wanted to come and watch him record could come,” he said. Williams added that this is what led to Hatch’s neighbors complaining and asking law enforcement to “crack down” on him.

“Ms. Connie”

Hatch’s mother, Connie Hatch, said that she is being as strong as possible right now. “I just believe in God. I just believe that he’s going to bring him out. That’s my belief. That’s my faith,” she said.

She also said that her son is being as strong as he can as well. She said that he is not one of those people who go to jail and find God, but “Torence had that background and foundation when he was small.”

She added that community leaders, both local and national, have been unsupportive in this situation. “Where are the leaders here in America?” she asked. On the other hand she said that rappers Yo Gotti and Young Jeezy have really helped out in the whole ordeal.

She feels like her son is being judged because he is a rapper and more people should see the artistic side of his craft. “A rapper writes poetry and they put it to music,” she said.

She said that her son is now in West Baton Rouge Parish and cannot receive or send out any letters or telephone calls.

She calls herself a “prayer warrior” and even said that she has no hard feelings against District Attorney Hillar Moore. “I don’t hold anything in my heart, not even against the D.A. today,” she said.

Regan and Williams say that this case is more about Hatch’s professional career and image than anything else. “He sort of put himself in the bull’s eye of the Conservative Baton Rouge community, and this is where it has ended up,” Williams said.

Day 4: First-Degree Murder Trial of Lil Boosie

Nine jurors were sworn in and sequestered, or isolated and hidden away, today in the murder trial of Torence Hatch, better known as Lil Boosie.

State District Judge Mike Erwin said that the selection process should be finished by Friday and that opening statements will begin the same day.

Three other jurors will be selected and two alternates.

Hatch is accused of paying Michael "Marlo Mike" Louding to kill Terry Boyd in 2009. If convicted he could face life in prison.

Day 3: First-Degree Murder Trial of Lil Boosie

Jury selection is expected to conclude tomorrow in the first-degree murder trial of Torence Hatch, better known as Lil Boosie.

State District Judge Mike Erwin, lead prosecutor Dana Cummings and defense attorneys Martin Regan and Jason Williams have been questioning potential jurors since Monday.


They were really interested in the jurors' media exposure concerning the case. "I'm sure you've heard or read something on the internet about the case," Erwin said.


"What you've read, seen or heard might not be true," he continued. "Get rid of that preconceived notion."


The court questioned potential jurors about a variety of subjects, such as occupation, views on rap music, personal interests and the "buzz" around town.


Erwin also warned jurors to not talk about the case with anyone or themselves or they would be held in contempt of court and jailed for six months.

"Go in there (the juror room) and zip it up," he said.

Opening statements are expected to start on Friday or Saturday. Erwin told potential jurors that he is expecting this trial to last two to three weeks.

The courtroom was full of Hatch's family and supporters. There was also extra security from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office. At any given time there were up to nine guards inside of the courtroom and several huddled outside. Erwin said that, if Hatch is found guilty, the death penalty is not on the table.

Editor's Note: The full story, including interviews with Hatch's attorneys and mother, is coming to a community newspaper near you!

Young Jeezy Puts His Money, Lawyer Behind Imprisoned Rapper Lil Boosie

The hip-hop website worldstarhiphop.com recently interviewed Young Jeezy and the rapper said that he is supporting Boosie's defense and even got his lawyer to help him out.

He said that he is not only supporting Boosie, whose real name is Torence Hatch, because he is his friend and "brother," but he is also supporting him because of the mark that the young rapper has made on the hip-hop industry.

"The only other person that I ever felt that people loved and respected and went by every word that he said, right now, was Boosie. I think that was a big blow to hip hop," he said.

He also commended Hatch on being a positive role model in the lives of many youth. He had that Hatch's mother keeps him abreast of the status of the rapper.

Hatch is currently serving an eight-year sentence for trying to introduce contraband into a penal institution. He tried to smuggle drugs into two prisons on three occasions.

What has gotten him even more national attention is that Hatch is also awaiting a murder trial where he is accused of hiring men to kill Terry Boyd on Oct. 21, 2009. The trial date is set for April 30.

In September Hatch was featured on an episode of A&E's "Beyond Scared Straight" where he reached out to a troubled North Carolina teen who said that he was his role model. He urged the teen to change his ways and choose his friends carefully.

Hatch had his cousin to read the letter to the teen, in which he wrote, "Look at your role model. I'm facing the death penalty because my friends lied on me."

Way to Go Google! Well...Sort of

Google recently refused a U.S. law enforcement's agency to remove a Youtube video showing police brutality, according to the Huffington Post.

That's great for Google and even better for our fight to end police brutality and hold police officers accountable for their actions. But this story now takes a turn for the worse.

Google has removed 63 percent of the U.S. government's requests. They say that "generally" a court order is the only way that they can comply. These agencies usually cite defamation as the cause of concern for these videos.

Since when does truth equal defamation?

I have a great idea for these agencies about the removal of defamatory content about police brutality. Go to the source and stop it. If police officers would stop brutalizing citizens, then there would be nothing to record and post on the internet.

Another interesting fact of this report is that the U.S. ranks as number three in the world for the highest number of content removal requests. It is behind Brazil and Germany, but ahead of China. The U.S. also ranks at number one for the amount of requests for user data.

Wow.

My Thoughts on the Penn State Scandal

So the assistant coach at Penn State, who was the graduate assistant that walked in on Sandusky raping a young boy in the shower, is now saying that he did in fact go to the police.

Why is Mike McQuery just now saying this? Probably because he is scared of losing his job. (He was placed on administrative leave.)

But even bigger than that, McQuery almost seems as if he wants the world to feel sorry for him. Instead of apologizing to the boy who he left Sandusky molesting in the shower, he says something like this:

"No one can imagine my thoughts or wants to be in my shoes for those 30-45 seconds. Trust me."

Are you serious Mikey? Maybe I'm grasping for straws here, but what about the thoughts or wants of the little boy being sodomized right before your eyes? Wanna walk a mile in his shoes?

In my opinion, anyone who knew about Sandusky's habits of raping young boys and ruining their lives and did not kick his butt or go insist that the police throw him in jail are just as guilty as he is. They should all be fired, fined and jailed. I know that more than just those who were already fired knew about this. But money and fame outweighed the innocence of little children at Penn State.

I honestly hope that their administration crumbles, they are stripped of any awards or games won that Sandusky played a part in and that they are hit with a mega-billion dollar lawsuit that rocks them to their very core.

These mothers and children entrusted their lives to Sandusky, and he ruined them forever. Every time I think of this situation, it makes my stomach turn.

I can't wait for Sandusky to receive his lengthy prison sentence so that he can trade places with all the young boys that he molested. Karma is sweet, ain't it?

WTF: Alabama's New Anti-Immigration Law

Alabama is getting blasted from all sides because of their new anti-immigration law. NBC's Brian Williams recently did a special on the issues surrounding this law, and even Alabama Republicans are pissed off with Governor Robert Bentley because of it causing them to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue. Immigrants are leaving the state in droves and, according to the Center for American Progress (CAP), all residents of the state will be negatively affected by this.

CAP recently shared "The 10 Numbers You Need to Know about Alabama's Anti-Immigrant Law." An excerpt is below.

1. 2.5 percent—The percentage of Alabama’s population that is undocumented. That makes Alabama 20th in the nation in terms of the number of undocumented immigrants (120,000) residing there, well below states such as California (more than 2 million) or even Colorado (180,000).

2. $40 million—A conservative estimate of how much Alabama’s economy would contract if only 10,000 undocumented immigrants stopped working in the state as a result of H.B. 56.

3. $130 million—The amount Alabama’s undocumented immigrants paid in taxes in 2010. These include state and local, income, property, and consumption taxes. This revenue would be lost if H.B. 56 were to do its job and drive all unauthorized immigrants from the state.

4. $300,000—The amount one farmer, Chad Smith of Smith Farms, estimates he has lost because of labor shortages in the wake of H.B. 56. Another farmer, Brian Cash of K&B Farm, estimates that he lost $100,000 in one single month because of the law.

5. 2,285—The number of Hispanic students who did not attend class on the first Monday following the judge’s ruling upholding key parts of H.B. 56., including the provision mandating schools to check the immigration status of students.

6. 15 percent—The percentage of absent Hispanic students (at peak) too afraid to attend school, comprising 5,143 children, since the law went into effect.

7. 1.3 percent—The percentage of Alabama schoolchildren who are not citizens of the United States. H.B. 56 intends to expend considerable resources to drive out a small percentage of the school-age population.

8. 2,000—The number of calls made in the first week to the Southern Poverty Law Center’s hotline. Calls to hotline are reporting civil rights concerns related to the impact of H.B. 56, highlighting the extreme anxiety among the immigrant population.

9. $1.9 million—The amount of money that was spent by Arizona to defend S.B. 1070, a similar anti-immigrant law. The Arizona litigation is ongoing and can expect higher costs. With Alabama already facing multiple rounds of legal challenges, their costs are certain to be just as high, if not higher.

10. $2.8 billion—What it would cost the government if they were to deport all 120,000 undocumented migrants in Alabama. Each deportation costs American taxpayers $23,482.

What ever happened to "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free?" Am I missing something? I know that some of these immigrants are here illegally, but isn't there something in place to help them become legal citizens? The situation in Alabama proves that many of them are hard workers and are doing work that no one else will do. Many of them came to America to make a better life for themselves. Many Americans forget that their ancestors did at one point as well.

Who are we to stop them? Let's make it easier for them to become legal citizens and keep it moving.

The Rebirth of My Blog

Today marks the rebirth of my blog. A lot of times we get so busy with the routine of everyday life that we forget to stop and do things that make us smile. I've neglected my blog for quite a while now- but that stops today.

There are so many issues facing our country, our world now that need to have light shed on them. That's what I will attempt to do.

Well folks...back to the madness.

Side Effects Include: Death

As I sat and researched for the Drank/ Sippin Syrup story (see immediately below), I was really shocked/enraged/ offended at how products are being marketed in the African American community. Not just the makers of Drank, but many companies have their sights set on us and aren’t going away without a fight.

We as a community have to be more cognizant of what we put in and on our bodies. Just because something is marketed to us does not mean that it is good for us. For example, when I researched all of the anti-energy drinks, including Drank, Sippin Syrup, iChill, Vacation in a Bottle and Blue Cow (the antithesis to Red Bull; how cute), I couldn’t believe my eyes. Drank and Sippin Syrup alone, which many people, including myself, have noticed are heavily marketed in Black and Latino communities, are two of the most dangerous ones. This being because the melatonin in these drinks is not yet approved by the FDA as safe. Even so, some store owners say that people are buying them by the droves. To add insult to injury, if you are one of the millions of people taking birth control pills or high blood pressure medicine and are wondering why your medicine has become less effective, it could be because you’ve had one too many of these “harmless” drinks.

Of course, companies could never tell you that the side effects to their products include death, because no one would buy them and their companies would fold. In my lifetime I’ve only heard one company brave enough to include in their television commercial: “Side effects include an increased rate of death.” I couldn’t believe their honesty and still can’t. (And now that I think about it, I probably only heard their commercial that once because their company folded.) But we can’t expect this from all companies. We live in a society where everyone capitalizes off of everyone else at everyone else’s expense.

Until we realize that we (under God) are ultimately responsible for our well being, this dangerous trend will continue to consume us. By not paying attention to this mere fact when it comes to the food we eat, the drinks we drink, the drugs we consume and the cosmetics we use, we are killing ourselves softly.

Drank, Sippin Syrup Selling Quietly in BR

Baton Rouge has a new “Drank” in town and parents, doctors, and the Food and Drug Administration are concerned that the non-alcohol beverages could lead to something greater.

The popular relax elixirs, Drank and Sippin Syrup, have gone mainstream and are showing up at convenient stories in predominately Black neighborhoods throughout Baton Rouge.

Sold in shiny purple cans and black and purple bottles, the drinks can be bought by adults and children with little warnings about the drinks’ dangers.

Since 2008, the Houston-based Innovative Beverage Group Holdings, Inc. has made $7.8 million on the beverage product that they market as “the first ever extreme relaxation beverage.”

The can bears hip-hop colloquialisms as the drink’s slogan: “Slow Your Roll.”

“Gone are the days of the Styrofoam and red Solo brand cups and we should all be concerned,” said a mother who called The Drum about the new drinks.

Birthed in Texas, the real “Drank” is known as “lean,” “purple drank,” “purple stuff,” “barre”, “syrup” or “sizzurp.”

It is made up of prescription-grade cough syrup containing promethazine and/or codeine, 7UP or Sprite and Jolly Rancher candy.

Although the main ingredient of the store’s Drank is not as potent as cough syrup, it and the drink’s appeal might be just as hazardous, said the Food and Drug Administration and local doctors.

Both Drank and Sippin Syrup have melatonin as the main ingredient, along with St. John’s Wort and other herbal supplements.

With the lightly-carbonated grape flavor, someone not familiar with the real thing would think Drank is much like grape soda.

But that’s not the case. Family doctor Rani Whitfield called the ingredients “contradictory” because the drinks both have high levels (2mg per can or bottle) of melatonin, which is widely known as a hormone that induces sleep, and high levels (nearly 60g per bottle) of high fructose corn syrup, which he said is “the worst sugar possible.”

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, melatonin is generally safe, but anyone consuming it should see a physician before ingesting the hormone, especially if the person is taking blood pressure medicines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticoagulants (blood-thinning), steroids or immunosuppressants.

Doctors also warn that melatonin will decrease the effectiveness of birth control.

Whitfield, who is nationally known as Tha’ Hip Hop Doc, said many people who try these drinks, especially young teens, try it because of the drinks’ association with the real “purple drank” being praised in hip hop and rap music.

“It’s prepping (consumers) for the next real thing,” he said.

Drank is “the worst thing I’ve ever seen on the street since the making of candy cigarettes,” said Dr. Ronald Peters, assistant professor of behavioral sciences at the University of Texas School of Public Health.

“They’re taking the name, and they’re trying to market it to young people,” he said.


Drank and FDA

In January, the FDA issued Innovative Beverage Group Holdings, Inc. a warning letter about the use of melatonin in this beverage.

The FDA wrote: “A food additive is required to be approved by the FDA for its intended use prior to marketing. Melatonin is not an approved food additive for use in beverages. Therefore, the product ‘Drank,’ a beverage containing melatonin, is adulterated…”

According to the FDA, although the melatonin in Drank is not unsafe, it has not met the criteria to be generally considered safe or GRAS and is not an approved food additive.

Since this is “an open and active case,” Drank can still be sold to consumers, said FDA press officer Michael Herndon.

“The (Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act passed by Congress) does not grant the FDA the exclusive right to determine whether a substance is GRAS, and a company can make what is called a self-GRAS determination. The FDA can take regulatory action if it determines that the substance is not truly GRAS for the intended use.”

At present, the FDA has not determined how safe or unsafe the melatonin levels are in so-called “relaxation drinks,” Herndon said.

Unless it is determined that the melatonin levels are unsafe for consumption or someone gets sick from this product, Drank appears to be here to stay.

Other relaxation beverages, like Sippin Syrup and iCalm, that contain melatonin have yet to be warned by the FDA as Drank was earlier this year.

“All drinks like these are probably not regulated like they should be, so I wouldn’t recommend this to my patients,” said cardiologist Garland G. Green.

“I don’t recommend energy drinks, so I especially wouldn’t recommend anti-energy or relaxation drinks,” he said.

Drank spokesman Eric Fischgrund said the ingredients are perfectly safe and natural. “We developed Drank’s proprietary formula to include the same ingredients that are well known for their relaxation benefits in health and vitamin stores around the world,” he said.

“Drank has been on the market since 2008 with no reports of adverse effects; the product is currently in compliance with FDA guidelines as a dietary supplement.”

Fischgrund also said the company advises consumers who are uneasy about this drink to consult their physicians.

“While all of the ingredients in Drank can be found in the vitamin aisle of your local drug store, we encourage any concerned customers to check with their own doctor or pharmacist if they have questions,” he said.


HARD FACTS

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are many side effects to the “safe” ingredients in Drank and Sippin Syrup:

• Melatonin possible side effects: daytime sleepiness, dizziness, headaches, abdominal discomfort, confusion, sleepwalking, nightmares
  
• St. John’s Wort possible side effects: gastrointestinal upset, skin reactions, fatigue/sedation, restlessness or anxiety, sexual dysfunction (including impotence), sensitivity to light, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, suicidal and homicidal thoughts
  
• High fructose syrup possible side effects: obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease
  

IRBH’s website boasts “our favorite rappers” love and drink Drank. It doesn’t mention legendary Houston pioneer Robert “DJ Screw” Davis Jr., who popularized the “purple drank” mixture prior to his death in 2000. Screw died at age 29.

In 2007, Kenneth “Big Moe” Moore and Chad “Pimp C” Butler died at 33 years old. Moore died from a heart attack which many speculated was from his use of syrup, while Butler died from a combination of sleep apnea and overdose of syrup.

Since 2000, the southern hip hop scene has run amok with songs mentioning the consumption of this mixture.

Purple drank or sippin syrup has been mentioned by more than 30 rappers and musicians including UGK, Lil Wayne, Lil Boosie, Gucci Mane, Indie Arie, and Plies.


OTHER FINDINGS

According to a study published by Dr. Ronald Peters of University of Texas’ School of Public Health, 25 percent of at-risk youth in Houston reported the recreational use of codeine

In 2009, Innovative Beverage Group Holdings, Inc. sued Katalyst Beverage Corporation, the makers of Sippin Syrup, because of the company using the taglines, “Slow Your Roll” and “Extreme Relaxation.” IBGH won and KBG was ordered to cease and desist manufacturing and selling any products bearing those two trademarks. The bottle now reads “extended relaxation” and “experience calmness.”